Self-controlled toy airplane



Dec. 18, 1962 R. R. SIMPSON 3,068,612

SELF-CONTROLLED TOY AIRPLANE Filed Oct. 23, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY 7 W ATTORNEYS.

8 1962 R. R. SIMPSON 3,068,612

SELF-CONTROLLED TOY AIRPLANE BY WM ATTORNEYS- Dec. 18, 1962 R. R. SIMPSON 3,

SELF-CONTROLLED TOY AIRPLANE Filed 001;. 25, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

895A 2. SIMPSON Dec. 18, 1962 R. R. SIMPSON SELF-CONTROLLED TOY AIRPLANE 4 Sheets-Shee t 4 Filed 001;. 23, 1961 PN MN INVENTOR. 054 2. S/MP50/V BMW Arman/5Y5.

United States Patent )fiice 3,068,612 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 3,068,612 SELF-CONTROLLED TOY AIRPLANE Roba R. Simpson, 2602 De Witt Ave., Alexandria, Va. Filed Oct. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 146,788 6 Claims. (Cl. 46-81) This invention relates to a toy airplane and has as its primary object the provision of a toy airplane which may be manually launched from a miniature catapult or the like, and which will fly outward a predetermined distance, and then bank sharplyand return in a substantially straight line to approximately its starting position.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an airplane of this character which, after flying a predetermined distance, will automatically bank sharply by means of control elements for the ailerons, elevators, and

rudder, and then level off and return in level flight to its approximate starting position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a toy airplane of this character wherein the control is eilected by the controlled admission of air into a cylinder which contains a piston, the rearward movement of the piston governing the actuation of the controls in such manner as to efiect a predetermined flight pattern, either of the nature previously described, or, by rearrangement of certain control elements, any other desired flight pattern.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the admission of air to the cylinder containing the piston may be regulated to control the retraction of the piston against the partial vacuum in the cylinder in such manner as to vary the rate of travel of the piston, and the consequent point at which the various maneuvers are accomplished by actuation of the planes control surfaces.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a plane of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object resides in the provision of an improved launching catapult for the device.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

in the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of plane embodying features of the instant invention shown in launching position on its catapult.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the center line of the plane.

FiGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of 'FIG. 2 as Viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged external plan view of the nose of the plane showing certain control elements, certain concealed portions being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows. I

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 83 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 9 of RIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken su stantially along the line 1t 1% of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 11l1 of FIG. 4 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view, partially broken away, taken substantially along the line 12-12 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

*FEGURE 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 13l3 of FIG. 12 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1414 of FIG. 12 as viewed in the di- 7 rection indicated by the arrows.

structed in accordance with the instant invention, it being understood that the particular external design configuration is immaterial to the instant invention, and a small fighter plane type being shown 'for illustrative purpose only.

Plane 2% is shown as mounted in launching position on a catapult generally indicated at 21, which will be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring back to the plane 20, it will be seen that the same is comprised of a body generally indicated at 22 and comprising a lower half 23 and an upper half 24. Attached to the rear end of upper section 24 is a vertical stabilizer fin 25 which has pivotally mounted thereon as by means of pivots 26 a rudder 27. A simulated cockpit canopy C may also be provided, if desired. The lower body portion 23 is provided at its rear end with horizontal stabilizer fins 28 projecting symmetrically on opposite sides thereof and a pair of elevators 29 which are connected for common operation by means of a pin 30 and which are p-ivotally mounted at their extremities on pivot pins 31. Swept back wings 32 are also mounted on lower body section 23, and are provided with movable ailerons 33 which are pivotaily mounted in any suitable manner at their exterior ends, but which carry at their inner extremitiesrnovable pins 34 and 35 which extend into the lower section 23 of the body and are movable in a manner and for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

The upper and lower sections are capped at the nose by a hard rubber cap 4t? which may serve as a bumper and which is mounted on a stub shaft 4?. which extends from the conjoined nose plate 42 of the upper and lower sections. An inner rotatable sleeve it? is rotatable manually by means of the nose cap it) and is provided with an aperture 44. This aperture may be selectively aligned with an aperture 45 in the outer body section 24 androtation of the nose cone will govern the quantity of air admitted to an air chamber 46. Indicia 47 are provided for designating the desired size of opening. Air from the chamber 4-6 is allowed to escape into a tubular member 47 which is supported in the frame by means of partition members 48 and 49 centrally located in the upper and lower portions of the body, respectively, and at its other end is set in a recess 50 in the body. A piston 51 is movable in the cylinder 47, and is provided with a piston rod 52. The outer end of the piston is curved downwardly as at 53 and carries at its lower end wheels 54 and a trigger member 55, the lower portion of the part 53- extending outwardly through a slot 56 in the lower portion of the body.

A heavy rubber band 69 or the like extends from the opener external end of the piston 52 to a support 51 at the tail of the plane, and serves normally to draw the piston rearwardly. A pair of side plates 62 and as are secured to a ring 64 surrounding the cylinder and at their other end to a plate 65, the arrangement being such that the plates designated as 66 and d7, respectively, are drawn rearwardly by the band 6% when the plane is released for flight in a manner to be described'more fully hereinafter, and move rearwardly with'the piston at a speed governed by the admission of air through the openings 44 and 45.

The aileron mounting pins 34 and 35 are fixedly sccured in blocks 67 and 68 which carry pins 69 and lit, respectively, which engage in oppositely positioned slots 71 and 72 in the side plates 66 and 67, the arrangement thus being such that as the plates move rearwardly, the blocks '67 and 63 which are pivotally mounted as at '74 and 75, respectively, are tilted in accordance with the position or" the pins 6? and 7G in their respective slots 71 and 72 so that as the piston moves rearwardly the opposite ailerons 33 are tilted upwardly and downwardly in accordance with the direction ofbank which it is desired to have the plane follow.

Block 67 carries an upwardly projecting tongue 80 to which is connected a Wire or cord 81, which extends rearwardly to a rudder controlling car 82 which is mounted on the rudder 27 so that the tilting of the rudder is accomplished in accordance and simultaneously with the associated aileron 33. The opposite block 58 carries a lug 83 to which is connected a wire 84 which in turn is connected to a lug 85 mounted on the pin for governing the position of the elevators 29, it being noted that these are interconnected by means of the pin it to govern the flight of the plane.

A trigger filo extends upwardly from the member 52 and engages the trigger 91a carried by the upper part 24 of the body. As long as the two triggers are in interengagement, the plane is immobile, and by pressing the member 53 forwardly against the bias of the band 60, such locking of the trigger members may be accomplished. During this resetting operation the openings 4-4 and are open to their widest extent so that no substantial air pressure will retard the forward movement of the piston. The openings are then reset to control the admission of a limited amount of air, so that when the trigger 90a is released from the trigger 91a in a manner to be described hereinafter, the rubber band will slowly draw the piston and its associated plates with their slots rearwardly to thus control the ailerons, the rudder, and the elevators, the pattern being governed by the shaping of the slots 71 and 72, respectively. changed as desired to give different flight characteristics.

Launching of the plane is effected by means of the catapult 21 which includes an elongated bar-like member 9% having a longitudinally extended slot $1 therein which is provided at one end with a buffer 92 and through one end of which extends a pin 3 to which is secured a heavy resilient band 94. The other end of the band 94 engages a book 95 which comprises a part of a trigger member 96 which has a curved portion 97 which is adapted to engage the trigger member which is positioned between the pair of wheels 54. The other end of trigger 95 is curved as at 93 and engages a latch 99 which is part of a pivotally mounted trigger 1% which is pivoted as at 101 and which extends outwardly through a slot 162 in the forward edge of the handle member 103. A spring 104 biases the trigger tea into engagement with the member 93 which in turn, by holding down the triggermember 95, precludes the disengagement of the trigger members 99a and 91a interiorly of the plane. A trigger guard 195 is provided in the usual manner. The underside of the catapult 21 is provided with a removable plate 196 to facilitate replacement of the rubber 94 should such become necessary. The entire trigger assembly 96, 97, and 98 is carried on a plate 119 which supports a Y-fork 111 Obviously, the pattern may be which in turn supports the body of the plane 29 when inlaunching position.

In the use and operation of the device the plane is first rendered operable by pushing the piston 51 forwardly by means of the curved portion 53 of the piston rod 52, until the trigger members 98a and 9111 are engaged. The apertures 44 and 45 are open to their fullest extent during this operation to preclude the building up of air pressure within the cylinder47.

The slide 110 is then moved until member 98 engagestrigger release 99, whereupon the catapult is ready for use and the plane is positioned on the catapult as shown in FIG. 1. The curved portion 97 of the trigger assembly engages the trigger log 55, and when the trigger 1% is pulled, not only is the slide 110 released for rapid for-- ward movement by the band 9 but the trigger members 91a and Ella are disengaged simultaneously so that the actuating mechanism of the device is operable by the band against the partial vacuum within the piston, the speed of Withdrawal and the consequent maneuvering of the plane being governed by the relative amount of air admitted through the apertures 44 and 45.

" herein provided a toy airplane which accomplishes all the objects of this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility and high entertainment value.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A toy airplane having a body and control surfaces comprising ailerons, a rudder and an elevator, a cylinder in said body, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending out of said cylinder, a resilient member normally biasing said piston rod and piston toward the tail of the plane, a first trigger member on said piston rod, a second trigger member in said body, said first and second trigger members engageable to releasably retain said piston and piston rod in a position remote from the tail of the plane against the bias of said esilient member, said first and second trigger members releasable upon launching of the plane to allow movement of said piston and piston rod toward the tail by said resilient member, portions of said body defining an opening therethrough in communication with said cylinder, means for controlling the admission of air to said cylinder to retard the movement of said piston, and means connected to said piston rod for controlling the control surfaces of said plane to govern the flight pattern thereof.

2. A toyairplane having a body and control surfaces comprising ailerons, a rudder and an elevator, a cylinder in said body, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending out of said cylinder, a resilient member normally biasing said piston rod and piston toward the tail of the plane, a first trigger member on said piston rod, a second trigger member in said body, said first and second trigger members engageable to releasably retain said piston and piston rod in a position remote frornthe tail of the plane against the bias of said resilient member, said first and second trigger members releasable upon launching of the plane to allow movement of said piston and piston rod toward the tall by said resilient member, portions of said body defining an opening therethrough in communication with said cylinder, means for controlling the admission of air to said cylinder to retard the movement of said piston, and means connected to said piston rod for controlling the control surfaces of said plane to govern the flight pattern thereof, said lastmentioned means including a pair of slotted plates carried by said piston rod, the slots being in a predetermined pattern, pins engaging in said slots, pivoted blocks carrying said pins and connections between said pivoted blocks and said control surfaces, whereby movement of said pins in accordance with'the pattern of said slots controls the flight pattern of said plane.

3. A toy airplane having a body and control surfaces comprising ailerons, a rudder and an elevator, a cylinder in said body, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending out of said cylinder, a resilient member normally biasing said piston rod and piston toward the tail of the plane, a first trigger member on said piston rod, a second trigger member in said body, said first and second trigger members engageable to releasably retain said piston and piston rod in a position remote from the tail of the plane against the bias of said resilient member, said first and second trigger members releasable upon launching of the plane to allow movement of said piston and piston rod toward the tail by said resilient member, portions of said body defining an opening therethrough in communication with said cylinder, means for controlling the admission of air to said cylinder to retard the movement of said piston, and means connected to said piston rod for controlling the control surfaces of said plane to govern the flight pattern thereof, said last-mentioned means including a pair of slotted plates carried by said piston rod, the slots being in a predetermined pattern, pins engaging in said slots, pivoted blocks carrying said pins and connections between said pivoted blocks and said control surfaces, whereby movement of said pins in accordance with the pattern of said slots controls the flight pattern of said plane, said blocks having fixed pins therein, one connected to each aileron.

4. A toy airplane having a body and control surfaces comprising ailerons, a rudder and an elevator, a cylinder in said body, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending out of said cylinder, a resilient member normally biasing said piston rod and piston toward the tail of the plane, a first trigger member on said piston rod, a second trigger member in said body, said first and second trigger members engageable to releasably retain said piston and piston rod in a position re- 6 in said body, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending out of said cylinder, a resilientmember normally biasing said piston rod and piston toward the tail of the plane, a first trigger member on said piston rod, a second trigger member in said body, said first and second trigger members engageable to releasably retain said piston and piston rod in a position remote from the tail of the plane against the bias of said resilient member, said first and second trigger members releasable upon launching of the plane to allow movement of said piston and piston rod toward the tail by said resilient member, portions of said body defining an opening therethrough in communication with said cylinder, and

mote from the tail of the plane against the bias of said resilient member, said first and second trigger members releasable upon launching of the plane to allow movement of said piston and piston rod toward the tail by said resilient member, portions of said body defining an opening therethrough in communication With said cylinder, means for controlling the admission of air to said cylinder to retard the movement of said piston, and means connected to said piston rod for controlling the control surfaces of said plane to govern the flight pattern thereof, said lastmentioned means including a pair of slotted plates carried by said piston rod, the slots being in a predetermined pattern, pins engaging in said slots, pivoted blocks carrying said pins and connections between said pivoted blocks and said control surfaces, whereby movement of said pins in accordance with the pattern of said slots controls the flight pattern of said plane, said blocks having fixed pins therein, one connected to each aileron, a lug on one of said blocks and a flexible connection therefrom to said elevator and a second lug on the other of said blocks and a flexible connection therefrom to said rudder.

5. A toy airplane having a body and control surfaces comprising ailerons, a rudder and an elevator, a cylinder means connected to said piston rod for controlling the control surfaces of said plane to govern the flight pattern thereof, said last-mentioned means including a pair of slotted plates carried by said piston rod, the slots being in a predetermined pattern, pins engaging in said slots, pivoted blocks carrying said pins and connections between said pivoted blocks and said control surfaces, whereby movement of said pins in accordance with the pattern of said slots controls the flight pattern of said plane, said blocks having fixed pins therein, one connected to each aileron, a lug on one of said blocks, a flexible connection therefrom to said elevator, a second lug on the other of said blocks, a flexible connection therefrom to said rudder, and means controlling the rate of admission of air to said cylinder to control the speed of retraction of said piston rod.

6. A toy airplane having a body and control surfaces comprising ailerons, a rudder and an elevator, a cylinder in said body, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending out of said cylinder, a resilient member normally biasing said piston rod and piston toward the tail of the plane, a first trigger member on said piston rod, a second trigger member in said body, said first and second trigger members engageable to releasably retain said piston and piston rod in a position remote from the tail of the plane against the bias of said resilient member, said first and second trigger members releasable upon launching of the plane to allow movement of said piston and piston rod toward the tail by said resilient member, portions of said body defining an opening therethrough in communication with said cylinder, and means connected to said piston rod for controlling the control surfaces of said plane to govern the flight pattern thereof, said last-mentioned means including a pair of slotted plates carried by said piston rod, the slots being in a predetermined pattern, pins engaging in said slots, pivoted blocks carrying said pins and connections be tween said pivoted blocks and said control surfaces, whereby movement of said pins in accordance with the pattern of said slots controls the flight pattern of said plane, said blocks having fixed pins therein, one connected to each aileron, a lug on one of said blocks, a flexible connection therefrom to said elevator, a second lug on the other of said blocks, a flexible connection therefrom to said rudder, and means controlling the rate of admission of air to said cylinder to control the speed of retraction of said piston rod, said last-mentioned means including a rotatable sleeve having portions defining an opening therein selectively alignable with the opening in said body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,454,598 Doyle Nov. 23, 1948 

